PubMed · 42636733
Long-term outcomes of non-operative compared to operative management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis - a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We evaluated long-term outcomes of non-operative management (NOM) versus surgical management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis. METHODS: Systematic review of studies comparing NOM versus surgery with ≥2 years follow-up. Primary outcome was long-term failure rate. RESULTS: 9/1635 studies were included (3 RCTs; 6 non-RCT studies), involving 3883 patients; 5 were in pediatric populations. Median follow-up was 33.6 (range 24-312) months. NOM pooled long-term failure rate was 38.9% (95% CI: 31.1%-46.7%), increasing to 44.4% (95% CI: 41.4%-47.4%) in RCTs. Pooled appendectomy rate after NOM was 36.3% (95% CI: 28.9%-43.7%). Incidence of appendiceal neoplasms was approximately 0.3%. Non-operative management had cost savings of €1535 (95% CI: -€1892 to -€1178) versus surgery. CONCLUSIONS: NOM of acute uncomplicated appendicitis was associated with high long-term failure rates and significant risk of subsequent appendectomy.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Noam Kahana, Elad Boaz, Sameh Hany Emile, Petachia Reissman, Raul J Rosenthal, Steven D Wexner, Nir Horesh. 2026-08-18. Long-term outcomes of non-operative compared to operative management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis - a systematic review and meta-analysis.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2026.117203
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
Discover connections
Connections use source metadata and explicit phrase matches, not verified experimental comparisons.